I was recently asked about tips for Creating an Eye-Catching Photo Collage by Selena Dehne at She Knows. (Click on link under Press at right).
If one of your fall projects includes painting a room, you will be taking down whatever is currently hanging on your walls before you start. Take advantage of this opportunity to display something new and fresh.
This small group of photos is defined by two themes: Old house photos in old frames.
Follow my tips to create a new focal point in your freshly painted room. Go for the double wow-whammy: new paint and new art collection!
When creating a wall collage:
- Think theme. Collect photos or art that have something in common. For example choose black and white photos of architecture or nature scenes. Or abstract oils of sunsets. Whatever appeals to you.
- Look at the collection as a whole. Best way to do that is to lay everything out on the floor and rearrange until you get a grouping you like. Think big square or big rectangle.
- Choose frames in the same color or material. For example all silver or gold or maybe mahogany or barn board. Same with the mat. When you use the identical finish the art work really stands out.
- Wall color is important. Black and white photos with white mats might look bold and fresh on a wall saturated with color. Colorful paintings might need the calming effect of a neutral wall. Wall color should never compete with art work, it should enhance, but that doesn’t mean white is the only option.
- You can also make different statements with your arrangement. A grouping with the same size frames hung in perfect horizontal or vertical rows is much more formal than different size frames hung in a random pattern.
- The biggest mistake most people make when hanging any artwork is hanging it too high! It doesn’t matter if you are a short or tall person, everyone makes the same mistake. Whatever you hang on the wall should have a relationship with the furniture underneath it. If the display is above a sofa or pair of chairs, then a grouping should start 12″ or so above the back of the furniture. If the display is hanging gallery style (no furniture) then the middle photos should be at eye level (think 5 ‘6″ or 5’ 8″). Add the top and bottom layers accordingly.
All it takes is little planning and thought. You don’t need expensive frames or artwork to give your room personality. Frame your kids’ artwork. Or pieces of beautiful hand made paper or even a collections of vintage labels or photographs from your favorite vacation. There is not limit to what you can hang on your walls. It should simply be something you love.
Leave a Reply